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Tests confirm deadly pigeon virus in north-west

Authorities are working with the pigeons' owner to contain the disease.

Tasmanian pigeon owners are being urged to vaccinate their birds against a deadly disease which has entered the state for the first time.

The avian paramyxovirus has been detected in a dozen dead racing pigeons in the state's north-west.

The state's chief vet Rod Andrewartha says the Department of Primary Industries is working with the owner to contain the disease.

Mr Andrewartha says most racing pigeons were vaccinated after a Victorian outbreak of the virus two years ago.

The Pigeon Racing Federation's Ken West says pigeons are not allowed to race unless they are vaccinated.

"All members in the federation are pretty well safe," he said.

"It's just the people outside the federation that might just have fancy birds, fantails and show birds, to go along to their local vet and have a speak to them and they would advise them in what to do."